Soaking up the Sun at Beach Diner

The Beach Diner's club sandwich plate.

Posted Saturday, July 20, 2024 3:30 am

By Dylan Bailey

There’s nothing quite like cruising over the bridge to the island and being greeted by the iconic nautical vibes of Beach Diner. Once the location of an Applebee’s with a middling review, Beach Diner quickly became a town favorite. And while it’s definitely not new, by any means, it is one of my top spots to grab a bite. Whether you’re a local or stopping by on your way to the beach, here are some of my recommendations.

Beach Diner does a lot of things right, but something I appreciate is the atmosphere. From the comfortable booths to the high tops and the outdoor patio, each section offers its own experience. This day in particular, I sat outside and saw a friendly face: Mike Phillips, the editor of the Fernandina Observer.

Under the canopy outside, the small fans on the wall offer a pleasant breeze to combat the creeping humidity and the flower bushes seclude the experience, especially considering how open the patio is. And even with the humidity, I ordered a hot coffee and a tall glass of ice-cold water. How can you not get coffee when you go to a diner?

I’ve been to Beach Diner more times than I can count, but a handful of dishes have continued to call my name. First is the biscuits and gravy ($11.99), which comes with two fluffy biscuits and two eggs of your choosing. The white gravy is definitely what makes this. With its flavorful chunks of sausage combined with a warm and pillowy biscuit, it’s fantastic. The eggs are great, but the gravy is driving this train.

Next, I moved on to the pecan pancakes ($11.99), and how can you say no to pancakes at a diner? Coming with two strips of bacon, the smell wafting off this plate was heavenly. I’m always surprised at how many pecans they stuff into this, so if you’re a fan of texture, these are perfect. Fluffy and with a noticeable hint of vanilla, once I lathered up the butter and syrup, these pancakes became slices of heaven.

Beach Diner is, as its name suggests, a diner. And that means there are a lot of choices to pick from for food. Omelets, oatmeal, burgers, salads, Reubens, French dip, etc. If I’m not in the mood for a hearty breakfast, my go-to for lunch is the club sandwich ($14.99). Turkey breast, crisp bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayo on your choice of bread – I like to opt for rye bread on this. Not only is this a looker of a sandwich, but it also comes with a heaping pile of fries. For the price, this mountain of food will absolutely leave you stuffed like a Thanksgiving Day turkey.

If you’ve spent some time at the beach and want to let those summer experiences sizzle into memories, stop by Beach Diner and soak up the atmosphere with some delicious food that is something special.